A zenza is an apprentice rakugo storyteller. On stage, the zenza turns the mekuri, the card that shows the name of the next performer. He folds the masters’ haori jackets and kimono.
He takes particular care over serving tea. One storyteller recalled for Gendai Business: Mazu shishōgata ga irasshattara ocha o dasu. Kimono ni kigae owattara ocha o dasu. Kōza ga owattara ocha o dasu. When the masters arrive, serve tea. When they have changed into kimono, serve tea. When they come off the stage, serve tea.